scholarly journals CMH-Small Molecule Docks into SIRT1, Elicits Human IPF-Lung Fibroblast Cell Death, Inhibits Ku70-deacetylation, FLIP and Experimental Pulmonary Fibrosis

Biomolecules ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 997
Author(s):  
Jenya Konikov-Rozenman ◽  
Raphael Breuer ◽  
Naftali Kaminski ◽  
Shulamit B. Wallach-Dayan

Regenerative capacity in vital organs is limited by fibrosis propensity. Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a progressive lung disease linked with aging, is a classic example. In this study, we show that in flow cytometry, immunoblots (IB) and in lung sections, FLIP levels can be regulated, in vivo and in vitro, through SIRT1 activity inhibition by CMH (4-(4-Chloro-2-methylphenoxy)-N-hydroxybutanamide), a small molecule that, as we determined here by structural biology calculations, docked into its nonhistone substrate Ku70-binding site. Ku70 immunoprecipitations and immunoblots confirmed our theory that Ku70-deacetylation, Ku70/FLIP complex, myofibroblast resistance to apoptosis, cell survival, and lung fibrosis in bleomycin-treated mice, are reduced and regulated by CMH. Thus, small molecules associated with SIRT1-mediated regulation of Ku70 deacetylation, affecting FLIP stabilization in fibrotic-lung myofibroblasts, may be a useful strategy, enabling tissue regeneration.

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
James O’Connell ◽  
John Porter ◽  
Boris Kroeplien ◽  
Tim Norman ◽  
Stephen Rapecki ◽  
...  

AbstractTumour necrosis factor (TNF) is a cytokine belonging to a family of trimeric proteins; it has been shown to be a key mediator in autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn’s disease. While TNF is the target of several successful biologic drugs, attempts to design small molecule therapies directed to this cytokine have not led to approved products. Here we report the discovery of potent small molecule inhibitors of TNF that stabilise an asymmetrical form of the soluble TNF trimer, compromising signalling and inhibiting the functions of TNF in vitro and in vivo. This discovery paves the way for a class of small molecule drugs capable of modulating TNF function by stabilising a naturally sampled, receptor-incompetent conformation of TNF. Furthermore, this approach may prove to be a more general mechanism for inhibiting protein–protein interactions.


Blood ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 110 (11) ◽  
pp. 4096-4096
Author(s):  
Michael W. Epperly ◽  
Darcy Franicola ◽  
Tracy Dixon ◽  
Xichen Zhang ◽  
Paavani Komanduri ◽  
...  

Abstract Development of small molecule radioprotectors is a major national priority. Two groups of compounds have particular promise. The first group targets the mitochondria based upon previous data with transgene MnSOD which when expressed in the mitochondria prevents apoptosis and increases radioprotection. These agents contain the antioxidant tempol or nitric oxide synthetase inhibitor 2-amino-5,6-dihydro-6-methyl-4H-1,3-thiazine (AMT) attached to a hemi-gramicidin linker which targets the mitochondria. The second group consists of the dietary agent resveratrol and acetylated variants. Mouse hematopoietic progenitor 32Dcl3 cells were incubated for 1 hr in 10 μM tempol, AMT, or gramicidin linked tempol XJB-5-125 (tempol), XJB-7-75 (tempol) or JP4-039 (AMT). In separate experiments, 32Dcl3 cells were incubated for 1 hr in resveratrol or acetylated resveratrol. The cells were then irradiated to doses ranging from 0 to 8 Gy, plated in 0.8% methylcellulose, and incubated in a 5% CO2 incubator for 7 days. Colonies of greater than 50 cells were counted with the data analyzed using linear quadratic or single-hit, multi-target models. 32Dcl3 cells incubated in 10 μm tempol before irradiation resulted in no change in radiation sensitivity while incubation in XJB-5-125 or XJB-7-75 had decreased radiosensitivity. XJB-5-125 had an increased Do of 1.91 ± 0.67 Gy compared to 1.32 ± 0.09 Gy for 32Dcl3 cells incubated in tempol and 1.35 ± 0.27 Gy for control 32Dcl3 cells (p = 0.045 or 0.040, respectively). Incubation in XJB-5-75 resulted in an increased shoulder on the survival curve with an ñ of 19.4 ± 2.6 compared to 8.7 + 1.6 for cells incubated in tempol or 6.9 +1.8 for control 32Dcl3 cells (p = 0.025 or 0.022). Incubation in JP4-039 resulted in an increased Do of 2.2 ± 0.1 Gy compared to 1.24 ± 0.15 or 1.13 ± 0.06 for cells incubated in AMT or control 32Dcl3 cells only, respectively (p = 0.0115 or 0.0098, respectively). Incubation of 32Dcl3 cells in resveratrol or acetylated resveratrol before irradiation resulted in an increased shoulder on the survival curve of 33.2 ± 5.7 or 57.5 ± 9.9, respectively, compared to 6.9 ± 1.8 for 32Dcl3 cells (p = 0.0122 or 0.0072, respectively). These compounds were tested in mice receiving an LD50/30 irradiation dose. C57BL/6NHsd mice were injected intraperitoneally with 10 mg/kg of XJB-5-125, XJB-7-75or JP4-039 or 25 mg/kg of resveratrol or acetylated resveratrol and irradiated 10 mins later along with control mice to 9.5 Gy whole body irradiation. The mice injected with XJB-5-125, XJB-7-75, JP4-039 or acetylated-resveratrol had increased survival compared to control irradiated mice (p ≤ 0.0004). Therefore, four new small molecules have been identified which demonstrate significant radioprotective properties both in vitro and in vivo.


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura-Oana Albulescu ◽  
Chunfang Xie ◽  
Stuart Ainsworth ◽  
Jaffer Alsolaiss ◽  
Edouard Crittenden ◽  
...  

AbstractSnakebite is a medical emergency causing high mortality and morbidity in rural tropical communities that typically experience delayed access to unaffordable therapeutics. Viperid snakes are responsible for the majority of envenomings, but extensive interspecific variation in venom composition dictates that different antivenom treatments are used in different parts of the world, resulting in clinical and financial snakebite management challenges. Here, we show that a number of repurposed Phase 2-approved small molecules are capable of broadly neutralizing distinct viper venom bioactivities in vitro by inhibiting different enzymatic toxin families. Furthermore, using murine in vivo models of envenoming, we demonstrate that a single dose of a rationally-selected dual inhibitor combination consisting of marimastat and varespladib prevents murine lethality caused by venom from the most medically-important vipers of Africa, South Asia and Central America. Our findings support the translation of combinations of repurposed small molecule-based toxin inhibitors as broad-spectrum therapeutics for snakebite.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Baicheng Yi ◽  
Tian Ding ◽  
Shan Jiang ◽  
Ting Gong ◽  
Hitesh Chopra ◽  
...  

Abstract Objectives Recently, a new strategy has been developed to directly reprogram one cell type towards another targeted cell type using small molecule compounds. Human fibroblasts have been chemically reprogrammed into neuronal cells, Schwann cells and cardiomyocyte-like cells by different small molecule combinations. This study aimed to explore whether stem cells from apical papilla (SCAP) could be reprogrammed into endothelial cells (ECs) using the same strategy. Materials and methods The expression level of endothelial-specific genes and proteins after chemical induction of SCAP was assessed by RT-PCR, western blotting, flow cytometry and immunofluorescence. The in vitro functions of SCAP-derived chemical-induced endothelial cells (SCAP-ECs) were evaluated by tube-like structure formation assay, acetylated low-density lipoprotein (ac-LDL) uptake and NO secretion detection. The proliferation and the migration ability of SCAP-ECs were evaluated by CCK-8 and Transwell assay. LPS stimulation was used to mimic the inflammatory environment in demonstrating the ability of SCAP-ECs to express adhesion molecules. The in vivo Matrigel plug angiogenesis assay was performed to assess the function of SCAP-ECs in generating vascular structures using the immune-deficient mouse model. Results SCAP-ECs expressed upregulated endothelial-specific genes and proteins; displayed endothelial transcriptional networks; exhibited the ability to form functional tubular-like structures, uptake ac-LDL and secrete NO in vitro; and contributed to generate blood vessels in vivo. The SCAP-ECs could also express adhesion molecules in the pro-inflammatory environment and have a similar migration and proliferation ability as HUVECs. Conclusions Our study demonstrates that the set of small molecules and growth factors could significantly promote endothelial transdifferentiation of SCAP, which provides a promising candidate cell source for vascular engineering and treatment of ischemic diseases.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.R. Palla ◽  
K.I. Hilgendorf ◽  
A.V. Yang ◽  
J.P. Kerr ◽  
A.C. Hinken ◽  
...  

AbstractDuring aging, the regenerative capacity of muscle stem cells (MuSCs) decreases, diminishing the ability of muscle to repair following injury. We performed a small molecule library screen and discovered that the proliferation and expansion of aged MuSCs is regulated by signal transduction pathways organized by the primary cilium, a cellular protrusion that serves as a sensitive sensory organelle. Abolishing MuSC cilia in vivo severely impaired injury-induced muscle regeneration. In aged muscle, a cell intrinsic defect in MuSC ciliation leading to impaired Hedgehog signaling was associated with the decrease in regenerative capacity. This deficit could be overcome by exogenous activation of Hedgehog signaling which promoted MuSC expansion, both in vitro and in vivo. Delivery of the small molecule Smoothened agonist (SAG) to muscles of aged mice restored regenerative capacity leading to increased strength post-injury. These findings provide fresh insights into the signaling dysfunction in aging and identify the ciliary Hedgehog signaling pathway as a potential therapeutic target to counter the loss of muscle regenerative capacity which accompanies aging.


2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maike Thamsen ◽  
Rajarshi Ghosh ◽  
Vincent C. Auyeung ◽  
Alexis Brumwell ◽  
Harold A. Chapman ◽  
...  

AbstractEndoplasmic reticulum stress (ER stress) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a disease of progressive fibrosis and respiratory failure. ER stress activates a signaling pathway called the unfolded protein response (UPR) that either restores homeostasis or promotes apoptosis. The bifunctional kinase/RNase IRE1α is a UPR sensor that promotes apoptosis if ER stress remains high (i.e., a “terminal” UPR). Using multiple small molecule inhibitors against IRE1α, we show that ER stress-induced apoptosis of murine alveolar epithelial cells can be mitigated in vitro. In vivo, we show that bleomycin exposure to murine lungs causes early ER stress to activate IRE1α and the terminal UPR prior to development of pulmonary fibrosis. Small-molecule IRE1α kinase-inhibiting RNase attenuators (KIRAs) that we developed were used to evaluate the importance of IRE1α activation in bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis. One such KIRA—KIRA7—provided systemically to mice at the time of bleomycin exposure decreases terminal UPR signaling and prevents lung fibrosis. Administration of KIRA7 14 days after bleomycin exposure even promoted the reversal of established fibrosis. Finally, we show that KIRA8, a nanomolar-potent, monoselective KIRA compound derived from a completely different scaffold than KIRA7, likewise promoted reversal of established fibrosis. These results demonstrate that IRE1α may be a promising target in pulmonary fibrosis and that kinase inhibitors of IRE1α may eventually be developed into efficacious anti-fibrotic drugs.


2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (3) ◽  
pp. 755-764
Author(s):  
Benjamin B. Rothrauff ◽  
Rocky S. Tuan

Bone possesses an intrinsic regenerative capacity, which can be compromised by aging, disease, trauma, and iatrogenesis (e.g. tumor resection, pharmacological). At present, autografts and allografts are the principal biological treatments available to replace large bone segments, but both entail several limitations that reduce wider use and consistent success. The use of decellularized extracellular matrices (ECM), often derived from xenogeneic sources, has been shown to favorably influence the immune response to injury and promote site-appropriate tissue regeneration. Decellularized bone ECM (dbECM), utilized in several forms — whole organ, particles, hydrogels — has shown promise in both in vitro and in vivo animal studies to promote osteogenic differentiation of stem/progenitor cells and enhance bone regeneration. However, dbECM has yet to be investigated in clinical studies, which are needed to determine the relative efficacy of this emerging biomaterial as compared with established treatments. This mini-review highlights the recent exploration of dbECM as a biomaterial for skeletal tissue engineering and considers modifications on its future use to more consistently promote bone regeneration.


2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (30) ◽  
pp. 5609-5624
Author(s):  
Dijana Saftić ◽  
Željka Ban ◽  
Josipa Matić ◽  
Lidija-Marija Tumirv ◽  
Ivo Piantanida

: Among the most intensively studied classes of small molecules (molecular weight < 650) in biomedical research are small molecules that non-covalently bind to DNA/RNA, and another intensively studied class is nucleobase derivatives. Both classes have been intensively elaborated in many books and reviews. However, conjugates consisting of DNA/RNA binder covalently linked to nucleobase are much less studied and have not been reviewed in the last two decades. Therefore, this review summarized reports on the design of classical DNA/RNA binder – nucleobase conjugates, as well as data about their interactions with various DNA or RNA targets, and even in some cases protein targets are involved. According to these data, the most important structural aspects of selective or even specific recognition between small molecule and target are proposed, and where possible related biochemical and biomedical aspects were discussed. The general conclusion is that this, rather new class of molecules showed an amazing set of recognition tools for numerous DNA or RNA targets in the last two decades, as well as few intriguing in vitro and in vivo selectivities. Several lead research lines show promising advancements toward either novel, highly selective markers or bioactive, potentially druggable molecules.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 1985
Author(s):  
Xiaohe Li ◽  
Ling Ma ◽  
Kai Huang ◽  
Yuli Wei ◽  
Shida Long ◽  
...  

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a fatal and age-related pulmonary disease. Nintedanib is a receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor, and one of the only two listed drugs against IPF. Regorafenib is a novel, orally active, multi-kinase inhibitor that has similar targets to nintedanib and is applied to treat colorectal cancer and gastrointestinal stromal tumors in patients. In this study, we first identified that regorafenib could alleviate bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice. The in vivo experiments indicated that regorafenib suppresses collagen accumulation and myofibroblast activation. Further in vitro mechanism studies showed that regorafenib inhibits the activation and migration of myofibroblasts and extracellular matrix production, mainly through suppressing the transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1/Smad and non-Smad signaling pathways. In vitro studies have also indicated that regorafenib could augment autophagy in myofibroblasts by suppressing TGF-β1/mTOR (mechanistic target of rapamycin) signaling, and could promote apoptosis in myofibroblasts. In conclusion, regorafenib attenuates bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis by suppressing the TGF-β1 signaling pathway.


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